250 for 250 Reflects the Pivotal Role Books Have Played in Shaping the Nation on the Eve of the United States Semiquincentennial
With Short Essays by Ethan Hawke, Constance Wu, Ilana Glazer, Britt Lower, and Other Notable Americans
See images here.
Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library released 250 for 250 today, a handpicked, librarian-curated list of the 250 most notable books from 250 years of American history, reflecting on the pivotal role books and stories have played in shaping the country we are today.
“We are proud to present 250 for 250, our librarians’ list of the most important books in the nation’s history. Books remain one of our most powerful tools for defending democracy. They help us understand our selves, each other, and the world around us. Together, the books on this list tell a story of our nation, our commitment to the ideals of freedom and justice for all, and that ongoing search for common ground,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “From Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, we learn the dreams of our founding fathers. In Betty Smith’s novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, we feel the joys and hardships of growing up in our beloved borough at the turn of the century. Poet Mary Oliver’s Devotions reminds us to remember what it means to be alive and that our most important responsibility is to care for one another. As we continue to pursue a perfect union, this extraordinary list considers the full range of the American—and human—experience.”
Starting with Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, the list includes books published between 1776 and 2025. A committee of nearly two dozen librarians made the final selections. They considered well over 600 books in their discussions, working to create a list that reflects the breadth and depth of America’s stories, including the voices of those who have historically been left out of the conversation.
“This list started with one question: which books most shaped America in its first 250 years? What followed was a rare collective alchemy-librarians from across the entirety of Brooklyn coming together to curate a work rooted in American history, culture, ideas, and even the contradictions that continue to shape who we are as a nation,” said Edwin Maxwell, Chief Librarian.
In addition, a small group of notable Americans were asked to select a book from the list and write about why it is meaningful to them and to the nation. Ethan Hawke reflects on The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Constance Wu considers Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Recess Therapy Host Julian Shapiro-Barnum discusses American Born Chinese, the graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang. Ilana Glazer writes on The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Britt Lower reflects on Just Kids by Patti Smith, among others. You can see all of the contributors on the website.
"These are the books that we believe have influenced this country and contributed to where we are today. As librarians, we know that it's not just about the books themselves, but rather what they represent—a wide variety of American perspectives and voices sharing the stories of our streets, neighborhoods, and nation as a whole," said Librarian Jess Harwick, who coordinated the selection committee.
You can explore the complete list here.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.